The Skinny on Submental Fat AKA the Double Chin

No matter how hard you work out, or change your diet does your chin still bother you? Prior to last year, you would have had the limited options of liposuction or face/neck lift to treat the submental fat or what is more commonly referred to as the double chin. But who wants to go under the knife if you don’t have to? It’s an exciting time in aesthetic medicine as more and more non-invasive methods are developed to treat our most troublesome areas. Now we have not one option, but two non-invasive methods to treat the submental fat. How exciting is that?!

You may have heard of CoolSculpting to treat the broader areas of the abdomen and flanks. Well now the company has developed a new handpiece call the CoolMini as a safe and effective, non-invasive, FDA approved approach to eliminate the double chin. CoolSculpting works through a process called cryolipolysis. This means when the fat cells get very cold, they become irreparably damaged and undergo cell death. Over time, the body naturally eliminates these damaged fat cells. Once eliminated, they are considered permanently gone. This process is not observed overnight, and results may take 2-4 months to see the final result, with most patients requiring 2 treatments to achieve the desired result. Studies show approximately 25% reduction in fat with a single CoolSculpting session. The device is applied under the neck for approximately one hour. There are no needles or anesthetics required. During the procedure, you may experience deep pulling, tugging, pinching, numbness, or mild discomfort. Following the procedure, typical side effects include temporary numbness, redness, swelling, bruising, firmness, tingling, stinging, and pain. All these side effects are mild and short-lived.

Kybella, is our other FDA approved, non-surgical option for treatment of submental fat. This method uses deoxycholic acid, a naturally occurring bile acid to permanently dissolve fat in the submental region. What makes this different than the CoolMini? Kybella is an injectable medication requiring 2-4 treatment sessions to achieve the desired results. The procedure only takes a few minutes to perform and is very well tolerated. Side effects including discomfort from the injections, bruising, redness, swelling, and numbness may occur, but are also short-lived. Compared to CoolMini which has a one size fits all applicator, Kybella allows for a more customized treatment for each individual patient based on their physical exam. In addition to the fat reduction, we are seeing more skin tightening associated with Kybella compared to the CoolMini.

Ready to say goodbye to that stubborn double chin? Schedule a free consultation at the Skin and Laser Center at 313-884-9100 to determine if you’re a candidate for either of these revolutionary treatments.